By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions turned heads throughout most of the 2024 NFL season, looking every bit like the NFC’s top contender. Many fans and analysts had them penciled in for a Super Bowl run—until their playoff journey was cut short in a shocking upset by the Washington Commanders.
It was a tough blow for a team that had one of the league’s most complete and balanced rosters. Now, as they shift gears and prepare for the 2025 season, the Lions find themselves dealing with a bit of adversity.
This offseason, Detroit lost both of its coordinators—offensive mind Ben Johnson and defensive leader Aaron Glenn—along with a few key players on each side of the ball. While the core talent is still very much intact, the NFC isn’t getting any easier, and Detroit knows it can’t afford to take a step backward.
Even with the changes, one thing remains constant: the Lions boast one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses. At the heart of it all is wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who recently shared his excitement about a particular teammate’s progress heading into the new season.
“A guy that I’m excited for is Sam LaPorta,” St. Brown said, via John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated. “Not taking anything away from what he did last year, he’s a baller, but I can tell this year, he’s making plays out there every day. He’s gonna have a big year.”
LaPorta made a name for himself as a rookie, but his sophomore season didn’t quite meet expectations. With players like Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs stepping up, LaPorta saw fewer opportunities—but in this high-powered offense, his breakout moment may just be around the corner.